The Nation

Ebola: Nigeria ‘may consider’ shutting borders

August 1, 2014 2:48 pm

Minister of health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, says Nigeria is not planning to close its borders against the deadly Ebola Virus Diseased (EVD), but border closure “may be considered” should the need arise.

Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia – the three West African countries worst hit by the virus – are already implementing severe border control measures.

But speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, the minister said although the regulations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) do not support the closing of borders in situations like the outbreak of Ebola in some West African states, the country may consider it should an outbreak occur.

“We may consider shutting our borders if it becomes serious, but for now we are doing that. WHO does not support that,” he said.

He also spoke on Liberian Patrick Sawyer who imported the disease into the country, saying that in consonance with following laid-down practice, the national centre for Disease Control had cremated his body.

“Under WHO protocol is not wise to be transporting the corpse of anyone who dies as a result of this disease. That was why the body was cremated,” Chukwu said.

“The family of the late Liberian, through the government of Liberia, requested his ashes, and that is where we are.”

Chukwu of the people who had direct contact with the Liberian, 69 were under surveillance while two had been quarantined.

“They will remain under surveillance until after three weeks, which is the incubation period for Ebola. If they are fine after that time, we can then proceed to the next stage,” he said.

“Investigations are still going on. We are working with the Cross Rivers state government to identify secondary contacts, too. It is good we have their details, and keep in touch with them in case there is an incident.”

He also doused any fears about the presence of the virus in the country, saying: “As of today, there is no other reported case of Ebola in Nigeria. WHO has commended Nigeria for its efforts in stopping the spread of the disease.”